I have heard every time there's a cross race in August, somewhere a kitten dies.

Sorry Cat Lovers.

Monkey and I headed up to New England last weekend to catch up with my brother and family, and to compete in a couple of cross races. It was hot, and it was fun. Quick recaps follow:

Monson:

Held at a local high school, some good elevation change, very technical. Fun run up. Good field for the master 35+ dudes. Fast. I kinda blew the start, and spent too much energy on the first three laps trying to get back to the top 5; just when I got close I realized that was a mistake. Settled into steady survival mode, and with 3 to go (we did 8 laps) I found myself in a group with 2 other guys. One I brought back, one bringing me back. I upped my pace a bit, and shed him, but the other dude was on me like a bad suit heading into the final lap. Then I heard his tire blow as he flatted. I stood up a bit just so as to not be passed by a dude with a flat... Up the final climb to the finish I was phoning it in a bit, when Lindine started charging. (the elites raced with the masters) I really didn't want to get lapped, so begrudgingly, I put in one more little effort barely finished on the the lead lap...

Monk got a solid start in the top 8-12 spot and settled into a really nice group. There was some really good battling going on in that group for the bulk of the race. Monk and Jordan had a nice back and forth going, and Monk was finally able to slip away on the final lap for a solid finish. Totally rad.

Blunt:

The women's field was extra large and extra rad. As such the promoter had emailed all the women and offered them there own race an hour later in the day. It was a unanimous yes, and the women's field had there own race. Monk scrummed her way to the front row and had a killer start. Battled in the top 10 for the first two laps (they did 6) before settling into the same group from the previous day. She fought hard to make contact through the barrier with 1/2 a lap to go, but as they came to the road, she ended up on the short end of the group. Still, a super solid ride, and a really good race.

Unlike Saturday, when the gun went off, I got a great start, and sat in 2 second for most of the first two laps before Snoop and Bobby came around me. I was feeling good and having fun. The field was tough, and I kept scrapping. As the race wore on (7 laps) I fell back a few more spots, but with 3 to go was in the top ten and felt good. Then the troubles started. The course was really dry, loamy, and dusty. I was getting away with some silly cornering during the race, but then I started sliding out the front wheel in turns, twice I had to put a foot out, and suddenly I started to lose my nerve. As I entered the final lap, I knew there were 2 dudes chasing, and I was hurting pretty badly. Bad motor, Bad handling, this could be bad.

Then, what I knew would happen 2 years ago when I gave my brother one of my old cross bikes happened. I heard his voice as I was slowly imploding. "dude, there's a guy coming we gotta go..." I stood on it through the last long open straight, mentally thinking that if he didn't get us here, no way was he going to out corner us. Not the Vanderbacons!  The effort was my last match, and while I'm confident Craig could have come around me at this point, he coached me up through the last twisty section, and we rolled across the line together. I gotta say, I've been waiting to race with Craig, and couldn't have been happier or more proud.

Freakin' awesome day, awesome weekend.

It was great to see some MACsters as well as all the NECX folks that are always so kind to Monkey and I. Great stuff.

school starts again Tuesday.

It's going to be a great season.

respect
vanderbacon

note all pictures taken at Blunt Park...